I think what gets so obscured with politics today is the human connection we all have. It’s remarkable the barriers that we place upon each other personally based political opinions and affiliation. Insights into Ted Kennedy’s personal life at last night’s memorial really put a down to earth, real human perspective on our journey through life.

9:12 pm August 29, 2009

Bill Pai wrote:

I completely agree with the preceding comment. The personal side often gets forgotten in the rough-and-tumble of politics. The human connection that unites us is more important than any ideology. As Ted's brother said in his speech at American University: "In the final analysis, we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal."

Rest in peace, EMK.

10:21 pm August 29, 2009

Andrea Matthews, MA wrote:

There's another reason to appoint an interim senator -- we might lose all that institutional knowledge of the staffers if they're dispersed now. They'll be invaluable to the continuity of Senator Kennedy's work and Massachusett's representation in Washington. I really don't care if someone thinks it's "hypocritical" -- I think it's hypercritical that we have two senators again, like any other state, especially now.

Thanks for the humane comments above!

11:23 pm August 29, 2009

TexasRobert wrote:

President Ronald Reagan and Sen. Ted Kennedy were good friends, according to Nancy Reagan. But that didn't stop Kennedy from trying to undercut Reagan ... with a little help from the Soviet Union.

According to Peter Robinson, a research fellow at the Hoover Institution and a former White House speechwriter, Kennedy offered to make a deal with then-Soviet leader Yuri Andropov in 1983.

Robinson, writing for Forbes.com, says Kennedy sent his close friend, former California state Sen. John Tunney, to Moscow with a secret message to Andropov: Help the Democrats battle Reagan in the 1984 presidential election, and in return Kennedy would help Andropov in dealing with Reagan.

Robinson recounts that Victor Chebrikov, a top KGB official, recorded the details of Kennedy's offer in a memo that was uncovered in Soviet archives in 1991.

Kennedy promised to:

# Visit Moscow and prep the Soviets on effective propaganda. "The main purpose of the meeting, according to the senator, would be to arm Soviet officials with explanations regarding problems of nuclear disarmament so they may be better prepared and more convincing during appearances in the USA," states the Soviet memo.

# Help Andropov get on U.S. television. "A direct appeal ... to the American people will, without a doubt, attract a great deal of attention and interest in the country," states the memo. "If the proposal is recognized as worthy, then Kennedy and his friends will bring about suitable steps to have representatives of the largest television companies in the USA contact Y.V. Andropov for an invitation to Moscow for the interviews. ... The senator underlined the importance that this initiative should be seen as coming from the American side."

According to the memo, Kennedy also had told Tunney that he planned to run for president in 1988.

Robinson writes that there is no evidence to prove that Andropov, who died eight months later, ever took any action regarding Kennedy's offer.

12:39 am August 30, 2009

A_COL wrote:

Two years (1951-53) vacationing with the Army in Paris, France at the height of the Korean War while most of your fellow soldiers are fighting for their lives in Korea hardly qualifies one for burial in Arlington National Cemetery. Especially, when you consider that the recipient of such favorable treatment was the son of big-shot Democrat operative Joe Kennedy and the president at the time was Harry Truman. Dan Rather was so busy looking into Bush’s Air National Guard service he totally missed this one.

Must admit, Dan also missed looking into the ultimate COWARD, Joe “5-Deferment” Biden who (along with Dick Cheney) did everything short of maiming himself to avoid being drafted during Vietnam (neither had the guts for maiming – I guess it’s a prerequisite for VP).

By contrast, Kennedy, Cheney and Biden make "W" look like a war hero! (For the record, Bush flying antique Air National Guard Convair F-102s was probably in more danger than I was during an extended CIB-earning tour in Vietnam!).

One final observation, wasn't it his brother JFK that escalated Vietnam into a war; then made it ours by allowing Diem to be assassinated and bringing in hawks McNamara, Rusk and Bundy to expand it. Of the 58K killed in Vietnam, 37K of them were killed under the war leaders brought in by JFK and retained by LBJ.

SEW MUTCH FOUR PADDY IN AMERRYKA AND AL McGRATHy IN THE SANDS OF LIBAEA

*

ASTA

12:02 pm August 30, 2009

Anonymous wrote:

Small people writing spiteful comments
when the time asks for generous spirits

5:25 pm August 30, 2009

Peter Wolf wrote:

"Why can't we all just get along?"

-Rodney King

The World Order as seem by the Ted's and the Obama's is to have all "the people" be placated into dependent submission, so they can rule and control from their mystical mountain top.

The sooner the landscape is rid of the Kenendy's and their ilk, the better off we'll all be. It's a small minority that truly identifies with their mentality, but many want to pander to the rish and famous, even though their idologies are in stark contrast.

There are MILLIONS in this country who have no clue of the Kenedy family's true identity and trangressions, much less any knowledge of Chappaquiddick. How many people, save Kennedy or other person of privilage, would be eulogized by natiuonel leaders with an ex-officio Negligent Homocide on his record?

8:58 am August 31, 2009

HAI SKULE TEATCHA wrote:

*
*
*
*
OF ILK

THERE IS Kennedy Corpus AND AWL THE UTHER LITTLE AMERRYKAN KENNEDDEESE

AND Kennedys* Note FROM YOUR PRESLEYDENT AND HIS LOT SAYING

SHE*S WITH ME = Kennedy Corpus Is With The Scribbler of This Hear Spontaneous Note*

AND ME IS WITH THE BANQK

*

EVERYTHING IN AMERRYKA GOES THREW THE BANQK

EVERYTHING

IT IS KNOT WOT U KNOW IN THE BANQK THAT CAOUWNTS

IT IS HU YU KNOW IN THE BANQK THAT MATTERS INDyEND SUKKERS

*

ASTA

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